If you're a fan of classic country, there's no better artist to learn on acoustic guitar than George Strait.
This handpicked collection of 11 of his most beloved songs includes everything from boot-scootin' crowd-pleasers like “All My Exes Live in Texas” to heartfelt ballads like “A Showman’s Life.”
Each lesson features the chords used, strumming patterns, and a full video demo to help you play along with ease.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned picker, you'll enjoy the down-home Texas vibe Strait brings to every track.
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A Fire I Can't Put Out was a #1 hit back in 1983 with this single from the album "Strait From The Heart".
Other songs with this same album cover below are also found on this album.
For rhythm here play a root up down up root up down up and repeat pattern in standard tuning and with some lead required. The chords are G, A7, D, D7, Bm and an A.
A Showman's Life ... info soon.
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Adaliada was a #3 hit in the US and a #2 in Canada when it was released back in 1995.
The song can be found on the album "Lead On".
For this tune I play a drop D tuning with a capo 2nd fret while playing a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern. Some lead with the the chords D, G, C and a D7.
All My Exes Live In Texas hails from the 1986 album Ocean Front Property.
The song topped the country charts in both Canada and the US.
I play a capo 2nd fret here in standard tuning with the chords G, D, Am, C, Cm, D7, A7 and C#. Some lead in this one while playing a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Amarillo By Morning was written by Terry Stafford and Paul Frasier and they recored it in 1973 and had a top 30 hit. This song was actually a B-side to a song called "Say Has Anybody Seen My Gypsy Rose", which was the A-Side when Staffed released the single in June of 73. By October, they realized Amarillo By Morning was getting more airplay, so they re-released the single and flipped sides, putting Amarillo By Morning on the A-Side.
George Strait recorded the song in 1982 for his album "Strait From The Heart" and released the single in 1983, scoring a #4 hit on the country charts in the US and hit #1 in Canada.
Chris Ledoux also covered the song before George Strait back in 1975.
Played in standard tuning with a root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and some lead required. For chords play a D, Gbm, G, A7, Gmaj7, A, E, Abm, A, B7 and an Amaj7.
Blame It On Mexico was one of four songs recorded at the very beginning of George Strait's career, even before he had a recording contract way back in 1981. It was Feb, and George entered the Waxwork Recording Studio in Berry Hill Tennessee.
Unwound, Blame It On Mexico, Perfect Mind and Nobody In His Right Mind Would Have Left Her were recorded. Blame It On Mexico was recorded later in June of 1981.
No lead in this one with the chords C, G6, Am, Am/G, Fmaj7 and a Dm and played in standard tuning. For rhythm play a root up down up with a shuffle as you decend thru the chords. In the chorus there is a chop in the rhythm.
Blue Clear Sky was the title of the album by the same name which came out back in the spring of 1996. The single from the album went to #1 on the country charts and the album itself won several industry awards as the best country album from 1996.
If the title seems backwards, it is because that title came from Forrest Gump. Even George asked Bob DiPiero, who co-wrote the song, about this odd title. But in the end they kept it as is instead of changing it to Clear Blue Sky.
I play a capo 2nd fret here with drop D tuning and some lead. The rhythm is mainly all down strokes in a rock & roll type play with the chords D, G, A and a Bm.
Carrying Your Love With Me was the title of the 17th album released by George Strait in Apr of 1997.
This song was released in May and peaked at #1 on the country charts.
I play a capo 3rd fret on this one in standard tuning and some lead required. For rhythm play a down down up down up and repeat pattern with some riffs blended in and the chords G, D, C, D/Gb, Em, Dsus and a D7 (optional).
Check Yes Or No hails from his 1995 album, "Strait Out Of The Box" where George scored another #1 hit with the release of this song in both Canada and the US.
There was a music video also for this song.
Another one here with a capo 3rd fret but no lead, just a few riffs and bass runs. For rhythm I use a few chops to get this one going and then a root up down up root up down up or use a shuffle in the ch which is a root down up down up root up down up and repeat. Chords needed are a D, A, G and a Bm.
Desperately was written by Texan Bruce Robison, brother of Charlie Robison.
George Strait put this number on his 2003 album Honkytonkville, and the song peaked at #6 in 2004 on the US Country charts.
One of those cool George Strait guitar songs to learn acoustically.
I play a drop D tuning here with a root down up down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and some lead. The chords here are A, D, G, Em and an A7.
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind is a 1984 song from the album of the same name.
This song was a big #1 hit for George Strait and has become one of his most beloved songs down through the decades. The song was written by Sanger and Darlene Shafer.
The rhythm here is a root down up root up down up and repeat pattern with a bit of lead and a few riffs in standard tuning. The chords you'll need are a C, G, F and a C7.
George Strait’s music is timeless — and so are the songs on this page. With honest lyrics, simple progressions, and memorable melodies, these tunes are a must for any country-loving guitarist.
Whether you're jamming solo or sharing these classics at a gathering, you'll find something truly satisfying in every chord. Be sure to check back often for more Strait songs as we continue expanding this series for fans and players alike.
George Strait Official Website